China fires airburst munitions from PHL-16 missile launcher
A PHL-16 multiple rocket launcher system operated by the PLA Ground Force. Chinese military media recently aired footage of the system firing airburst munitions. (Norinco)
Chinese military media has aired footage showing a PHL-16 multiple rocket launcher system (MLRS) firing airburst munitions, marking the first publicly disclosed firing of the round.
The footage – published by China Military Bugle on its X social media account on 19 July – shows a salvo of airburst munitions striking land targets at a desert training facility. The rounds were launched from the PHL-16, also known as the PHL-191.
China Military Bugle, a media outlet affiliated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA), said in the post, “Footage shows PHL-191 (PHL-16) long-range modular MLRS attached to an artillery unit with the Chinese PLA Army unleashing a devastating barrage of airburst rockets, raining fragmentation over the target area.” The outlet did not disclose details of the munition or its specifications.
Developed by state-run China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), the truck-mounted PHL-16 is operated by the PLA Ground Force (PLAGF). Based on a modified Wanshan WS2400 8×8 chassis, the system can be configured with 10 launch tubes for 300 mm rockets with a range of about 130 km, or eight launch tubes for 370 mm rockets with a maximum range of about 280 km.
The MLRS can also carry two 750 mm tactical missiles, including the Fire Dragon 280A with an estimated range of 290 km. The system is also compatible with the Fire Dragon 480 missile, which has a range of 500 km.
The PHL-16 was developed in the late 2000s and entered PLA Ground Force service in the late 2010s.
For more, please see: Special Report: China's military parade highlights strides towards modernisation
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